I had the privilege this summer of participating in the Nauvoo and British pageants, one of the best experiences of my life. Trying to describe the experience doesn't do it justice. It's completely indescribable.
The Nauvoo pageant celebrated it's 10th anniversary this summer. It is about the saints arriving in Nauvoo in 1839 and building a city from a swamp. It's about the prophet Joseph Smith, the Nauvoo temple, and the sacrifices and joys of the pioneers. And eventually, it tells of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the exodus from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake valley.
The British pageant, performed for the first time last summer in Preston, England, was put on in Nauvoo this summer in honor of the ten year anniversary. The connection between the two pageants is incredible. In the British pageant, the elders from Nauvoo are sent to the British isles to declare the gospel and bring souls to repentance. Those saints in Britain who accept the gospel travel over to Nauvoo to join the saints in building a temple to their God.
Being in Nauvoo with my family is one of my favorite things. We are there for two weeks: one week we rehearse both pageants and the next week we perform. Throughout the course of these two weeks testimonies are strengthened, friendships are made, relationships are enhanced, lessons are learned, memories are molded, and people are changed. When I'm there, I feel so close to my Savior.
Beginning at 8 am and ending around 10 pm or later, each day consisted of about ten hours of rehearsals with breaks for meals. I would be lying if I said it was easy, but I would also be lying if I said it wasn't worth it. I gained something from each and every rehearsal. Sometimes it was a friend, other times I gained a better understanding of the love our savior has for each one of His children. I learned a new principle or I felt something-something good. There wasn't a moment I wasn't having fun or that I was unhappy. I felt so much happiness and love from everyone and for everyone.
"Here was heaven" is a line from the Nauvoo pageant, and I can't help but feel that way when I think of Nauvoo. Whether I was in rehearsal, at the temple, on a run, reading my scriptures, socializing with the cast, or listening to the music from the pageant, it felt like heaven. There really isn't a way to explain it. Many times at pageant we discuss how Nauvoo is a place of healing, and I felt that more than ever this year. There is a sweet, comforting spirit about Nauvoo that is undeniable.
It feels like home to me.
For now,
Alyssa
